Pitru Paksha (Mahalaya Paksha, Apara Paksha, Shraddh Paksha) is a fortnight dedicated to dead ancestors and forefathers. Pitru Paksha 2011 starts on September 13 and ends with Mahalaya Amavasya on 27 September 2011. During Pitru Paksha, dead ancestors are offered special rites and rituals. Pitru Paksha Shraddh begins on Ashwin Krishna Pratipada or first day of Ashwin month as per North Indian calendar. It starts on Bhadrapad Krishna Pratipada as per Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Kannada calendars.
During Pitru Paksha, each day is dedicated to different section of dead ancestors.. such as dead women, dead children, accidentally dead ancestors, etc. Here is the detailed calendar or schedule of Pitru Paksha 2011:
- Pratipada Shraddh 2011 – 13 September
- Dwitiya Shraddh 2011 – 14 September
- Tritiya Shraddh – 15 September 2011
- Chaturthi Shraddh – 16 September 2011 – Bharani Mahalaya Shraddh
- Panchami Shraddh – 17 September 2011
- Sashti Shraddh – 18 September 2011
- Saptami Shraddh – 19 September 2011
- Ashtami Shraddh – 20 September 2011 – Madhvashtami or Arudrashtami
- Navami Shraddh – 21 September 2011 – Avidhava Navami or Avidhva Navami
- Dashami Shraddh – 22 September 2011
- Ekadashi Shraddh – 23 September 2011
- Dwadasi Shraddh – 24 September 2011 – Yateenam Mahalaya Shraddh or Yathi Dwadashi
- Trayodasi Shraddh – 25 September 2011 – Balbolaniteras
- Chaturdashi Shraddh – 26 September 2011– Shraddh Chaturdashi or Ghat Chaturdasi
- Mahalaya Amavasya Shraddh – 27 September 2011